Lamp



July 31, 1923- 1,463,183

s. G. WARNER LAMP Filed Feb. 24. 1920 v 517 1 M Wy- 55%0 Patented ,hay31, leas.

Uniretitane sELDEN G. WARNER, OE WEST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, AssrGNoRTO NEWJERSEY PATENT COMPANY, OE WEsT ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, n coRPoRaTroN OE NEWJERSEY.

. LAMP.

Application led February 24,1920. Serial No. 360,697.

To @ZZ idiom-t may concern Be it known that I, SELDEN G. VYARNER, acitizen of the nited States, and a resident of lVest Orange, EssexCounty, New Jersey,.

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lamps, of which thefollowing is a description.

My invention relates to lamps, and more particularly to Yan improvedform of lamp designed especially for use in railway signailing althoughthe same is applicable to many other'uses. f f

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improvedconstruction employing a lamp in conjunction with a lens for projectingthe light emitted by the lamp, whereby the lamp may be readily, quicklyand accurately adjusted to a positionwith its illuminating center atxapredetermined position with respect to the lens, as, for example, at theback focal pointy of the lens, and whereby after the adjustment of thelamp the latter will be rigidly maintained 'in fixed adjustedpositionwith respect to the lens regardless of any deformation orVariation of the housing or casing in which the lens is mounted. s

My invention also consists in an improved i fixture or attachment forcarrying the lamp and which is adapted to be rigidly and di` rectlyattached tothe lens in conjunction with which the lamp is intended to beused. T his fixture or attachment is an important feature of myinventiomand it is especially applicable for use. as an adapterenabling.

the oil lamps of the standard form 'of railway signal'lamps to`bereadily replaced by electric lamps with the illuminating center oriilament of the latter adjusted'to and rigidly maintained at anydesiredpoint with respect to the lens, but preferably the back focal point ofthe lens. vPractically all elec-.

tric lamp adapters for this purpose nowon the market are designed to bemounted on or built up from the bottomor base of the lamp housing, and.accordingly provision must be made therein to compensate yfor thenumerous variations which exist in the size, shape, etc. of the crudelyand inaccurately made lamp housings even where they are supposed to beidentical. Moreover, any variation in or 'deformation` of the lamphousing which takes place after the installay tion of an electric lampadapterfmounted on ortica.. f

is likely to throw the electric lamp out of focus with the lens. With myadapter, however, these disadvantages are entirely obviated as the sameis located directly fromland rigidly attached to thelens itselfthe only'part of the complete lamp not subject tofunusual variations. i

Other features of my invention reside in the construction of parts andcombinations of lelements hereinafter more specifically described andclaimed.

Inorder that myinvention may be more clearly understood, attentionl is,vdirected to the drawing accompanyingand forming a part ofV thisspecification and in `which :v

Figure l yis a viewin'side elevation, partly in section and partlybroken away, ofa rail-l way signal lamp with one embodiment of myinvention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is an enlargedyiew in perspective showing my improved fixture orattachment applied to a `lens such as is used in the type of signal lampshown inFig. l;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view on line 3 3 0f Figi, the lamp beingomitted;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on line 4-4 of Fig; v

Fig. 5 is a lfragmentaljview of a modificationgand" Q Y i 1 Fig. 6 isaview similar to Fig. 5 of a further modification.

uReferring to the .drawing,`rand especially to Figs. 1.150 4,`referencecharacterpl represents the usual vsheet-metal housing .or cas-ying of the standard f orm of railway signal lamp, provided with theusual bottomy or base 2 and the slidable door?) for rendering theinterior Ofthehousing accessible.r The side or Vertical wall of thehousing is provided with an opening surrounded by an annular flange 4having aA shouldered rim 5,

the latter constituting a ybezel for thev reception of the usualcorrugated spherical lens .6. Such a lens isl commonly known `as a.

semaphoreilens and will hereinafterbe so designated both in the yvspecilication and claims '.Thebezel 5 has rotatably mounted thereon,the usual split locking ring 7; pro-v -'vided with-a number'ofspaced'pins 8 extending through inclined slots or openings 9 provided inthe bezel 5, only one of each of such pins and slots being shown. Thepins 8 are of such length as to engage the outer spherical surface ofthe lens 6 whereby the turning of the ring 7 Will grip or loosen thelens in the bezel according to the direction in Which the ring isturned. A screw 1() extending through opposed lugs provided on the ring7 Where split, and having threaded engagement With one of such lugs,serves to lock the lens 6 in the bezel after the same has been securelygripped in position by turning .the ring 7. I

My improved attachmentor adapter con- `sists of a frame or fixture Acomprising a -supporting member or ring 11 ably free at the-other end,and a lamp supsuitable rigidv supporting member, shown herein as a ring11,-'thesubstantially rigid -rodsor legs 12 connected at one end to theand prefer- -port preferably formed integrally with the supportingmember or ring 11 of the frame. I preferably employ three legs andprefer- `ably connect the same to the ring or supportingy member 11 atsubstantially equi-spaced points. It is thus apparent that the frame asshown constitutes a tripod. The rods or legs-12 are preferably, thoughnot necessarily rigidly secured or fixed at one end to the ring -orsupporting member 11, as shown in Figs. 1 'and 2. When so fixed to thesupporting member 11, the-rods or legs employed though not necessarily,of

are slightly resilient, are preferably, substantially the 1 samelengthand varel preferably attached to -the supporting member so as to divergein 1 a 'direction away from such supporting inember. Where my attachmentor adapter is designedto be applied to a semaphore lens, such as shownin Figs. 1 and 2, and the rods or legs 12-thereof are rigidly fixed tothe supporting member 11, these rods are so arranged or diverge to sucha degree that a circlecircumscribed about the free ends vvthereofWhenthe rods assume their normal position, willbe of a diameter slightlygreater than the outside diameter of the' outervmost annular groove 30of the lens 6. Each of the rods 12 is provided adjacent its freeend-,With a boss or kcollar 13 having a preferably somewhat resilientlate-rally and out- Wardly extending projection 14. The support for thelamp preferably comprises an L-shaped bracket 15 attached to andpreferably formed integrally with the supportingmeinber or ring 11, andthe base 16 of Which'is provided With suitable means for supporting alamp, such as a low-voltage incandescent lamp 17 having a small coillilament 18. The base 16 is preferably vformed of slightly resilientmaterial and is split or kerfed longitudinally and substantiallycentrally thereof as shown at 19. Intermediate `the ends of the split orkerf 19, the base 16 of the bracket 15 is provided With a ball socket 2Oin which is mounted a ball 21 formed of slightly resilient materialhaving a preferably central cylindrical opening 22 extendingtherethrough and provided with a split or kerf 23. The base 16 ofbracket 15 is preferably substantially parallel to the axis of thetripod frame A and the axis of the socket 20 extends transversely of andpreferably substantially at right angles to the axis of the said frameA. The cylindrical lamp-stem 24 through which the leads 25 and 26extend, is mounted in and extends through the cylindrical opening 22 inthe ball 21. The base 16 of the bracket is provided With opposed lugs 27and 28 at the outer end of the split or kerf 19, a bolt 29 extendingloosely through the lug 27 and being threaded into the lug 28. It Willbe apparent that on sufficiently tightening the bolt 29, the lamp stem24E, ball 21 and brachet 15 Will be rigidly locked together against allrelative movement. It will also be apparent that upon loosening the bolt29, the lamp 17 is universally adjustable with respect to the bracket15, for it may then be pivotally moved in any direction and by reason ofthe engagement of the lamp stem 211 with the opening in the ball 21, therlamp may also be turned and moved longitudinally in either direction inthe ball 21. The construction just described constitutes a veryeiiicient and simple mounting for the lamp whereby the same may bereadily adjusted in any desired manner and whereby when adjusted thesame may be rigidly locked in adjusted position by manipulation of asingle member.

In applying my attachment or adapter to a semaphore lens such as shownin Figs. 1 and 2, the rods or legs 12 are forced towards each other aslight distance at their free ends and sprung into the outer annulargroove 30 of the lens, and the adapter is then rigidly secured in fixedposition with respect to the lens With the free ends of tlte rods infirm engagement with the bottom and side Walls of said gro-ove. 1n theconstruction shovvn in Figs. 1 and 2 this is accomplished by tighteningthe clamping ring 7` by turning the same in the proper direction. Thetightening of this ring forces the lens 6 inwardly of the bezel 5,'thereby forcing the frame A in the same direction which results in theflexing of the resilient lateral projections 14 of the legs 12 towardsthe outer peripheral portion of the lens by reason of the engagementthereof with the shoulder 5 of the bezel. It will be apparent that theframe A m-ay thus be very rigidly secured to the lens in fixed positionvvith respect thereto. The lamp 17 may now be readily adjusted so as tobring the illuminating center or lament 18 thereof to any desired pointWith respect to the lens 6, such the lamp 17 is preferablj'f `adjustedso that the small coil lainent 18 Will bev substantially at rightanglesl tothe axis of the lens or, in other Words, broad-side to thelens. liiith this arrangement, from an illuminating standpoint, I amenabled to obtain with a low-voltage incandescent lamp having a verysmall filament, results at least as effective as those obtained by theusual oil lamps the flames of Which are, comparatively speaking, veryWide.

An important feature of my invention is that once the illuminatingcenter of the lamp has been adjusted to a certain posi-v` tion withreference to a lens andthe lamp secured in adjusted position tothe'fiXture or attachment by tightening the bolt 29, the

" f attachment may be removed from the lens and then again appliedthereto to any other similar lens with the assur-ante that theilluminating center or filament of the lamp will occupyv the sameposition With respect to such lens.

'While I have described the preferred form of attachmentor adapterembodying my invention, the same is subject to numerous modifications.For example, While the legs 12 of the frame of the adapter or attachmentshown are rigidly attached at onev end to the supporting member or ring11, this, as has been previously indicated, is not at lall essentialWhere a plurality of legs are employed for equally good results may beobtained by the use of any frame Which would be maintained rigid Withrespect to a lens When the legs or other parts thereof adapted to engageor coact with the lens aresecured to or against the latter in fixedposition with respect thereto,

In Figs. 1 and 2 I show one form of 'my improved attachment, fixture oradapter applied to a semaphore lens. Adapters in accordance with myinvention, however, are capable of being applied to other typesl oflenses and may also be secured t-o lenses in many Ways other than thatshown in Figs. 1 and 2; and in Figs. 5 and 6 I have shown two Ways inwhich an adapter embodying my invention may be applied to an ordinaryplano-convex spherical lens.

In Fig. 5 reference character 6 represents an ordinary plano-convexspherical lens intended to be mounted in a bezel in the same manner asthe lens 6 shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In order to secure an adapter such asshown in Figs. 1 and 2 to the lens 6, the latter may be provided on itsinner side and adjacent its periphery either With an annular groove orvWith spaced recesses corresponding 1n number to the lnumber of legs orrods of the adapter, forreceiving the free ends of the latter. f In thisfigure reference character 3l represents either such a groove 'or such arecess. Onpositioningx the free ends of lthe rods ory legs 12 (only oneof which is shovvn) of the adaptery Within the annular groove orrecesses 31 of the lens 6', and then tightening upithe clamping ring ofthe 'bezel in Which the lens is mounted, the lens Willbe secured firmlyin the bezel and the adapter Will be firmly and rigj idly secured to thelens by reason of the shoulder of the bezel co--acting With thelaterally extending resilient projections 14 carried by the collars orbosses 13 on legs 12, in the same manner asdescribed above.

in connection with the construction shovvny in Fig. '1.

In Fig. 6 reference character 6 represents a' lens similar tothe lens 6of F ig. 5. The lens 6, however, is not provided either With an annulargroove o1' With recesses for receiving the free ends of the rods or`legs of the adapter. In the form of adapter de'- Signed to be appliedto the lens shown in this figure, each'ofthelegs 12 (only one of whichis shown) is preferably substantially rigid and provided adjacent itsfree end yvvith a collar 13", having a peculiarly formedv substantiallyvrigid projection 111'.' Each of these projections 14 preferably extendsout- Wardly from the corresponding rod 12 then forwardly 32a slightdistance and then inwardly in theform of an arm 33 overlapping butspaced `from the; adjacent end ofI the ofthe projections 111', therprojections 14 e being so formed that when the lens is so positioned theedge thereof Will firmly engage the portions l32 'of .the projectionsWhereby relative lateral i'movement, of A the lens and' frame visprevented. A f headed 4screvv 34 is threaded through each of the arms 33and afterv the lens 6 is positioned as described, these screws areturned up tight. The legs 12 kmay be suf'iciently resilient to permitthe lens 6 to be sprung.-

into position; or one or more of the collars 13 may be removably securedto the corresponding rod or rods 12, as by means ofa set-screw orset-screws, as indicated at l35, in order that the lens may be readilypositionedbetvveen the free ends of the rods and the arms 33 of theprojections 14. It Will be apparent that-the adapter Will `thusberigidly and directly secured to the lensG in fixed position With respecttheretoand will be Wholly supported therefrom independently of the usualbezel or other mounting` for the lens. y

While I have shovvn and describedseveral modifica-tions of my invention,it is t0 be understood that the saine is also subject to numerous otherchanges and modiiications Without any departure from the spirit of myinvention or the scope of the appended claims.

Having now :fully described my invention, What l claim as new and desireto protect by Letters Patent, is as follows:

l. ln combination, semaphore lens, a lamp iixture comprising a tripodthe legs of which. are rigidly positioned at one endA in one of theannular grooves oic the lens, said iixture being thus supported directlyand solely from said lens, and a lamp mounted on' said iixture,substantially as described.

2. ln combination, a semaphore lens, a tripod 'the legs of lwhich areslightly resilien and iiiied at one end only, said legs being sprung atthe other end into one of the annular grooves of the lens, and a lampmounted for universal adjustment on said tripod, substantially asdescribed. i 3. ln combination, a semaphore lens, a lamp fixture havinga pluigality olf legs connected at one end only, said legs being rigidlypositioned at their other end in one of the annular grooves oi the lens,the lamp fn;- ture being thus supported dire-stl*7 and sole ly from saidlens, and a lamp mounted on said fixture, substantially as described.

1l. ln combination, a semaphore lens, a lamp fixture having a pluralityof resilient spaced legs rigidly connected at one end only, said legsbeing sprung at their other end into one of the annular grooves of thelens, andy a lamp mounted on said iiiiture, substantially as described.

5. ln combination,l a semaphore lens, a frame having a plurality ofresilient spaced legs lined at one end only, said legs being `sprung attheir free end into one oi the annular grooves of the lens, means forrigidly securing said frame in lined position to said lens with the legsthereotl at their 'free end positioned as speciiied, and a lamp 4mountedfor universal adjustment on said frame, substantially as described.

6. ln combination, a semaphore lens, a bezel in which said lens ismounted, a lens clamping member cooperative with said bezel andadjustable to grip said lens firmly in said bezel, a frame comprising aplurality of legs connected at one end only, the free e2 of said legsbeing positioned in one oiE thc annular grooves of said lens, said legsbei g provided at their free ends With projections extending betweensaid bezel and lens wherL by when said member is adjusted to grip saidlens in the bezel said 'frame Will be idly secured to the lens, and alamp mounted on said frame, substantially as described.

7. ln combination, a semaphore lens, a bezel in which said lens ismounted, a lens clamping member cooperative withv said bezel andadjustable to grip said lens firmly in said bezel, a frame comprising aplurality oi" resilient spaced legs fixed at one end only, the iireeends oi said legs being sprung into one oi' the annular grooves or saidlens, said legs being provided adjacent their free ends with projectionsextending between said bezel and lens whereby When said member isadjusted to grip said lens in the bezel said frame will be rigidly and alamp mounted stantially as described.

8. ln combination, casing having a light emitting opening, a lenstherefor, a frame having a plurality of spaced legs connected. at oneend, said legs being iinedly secured at their other end to said lens,said frame being supported directly and solely from lens by having itslegs thus secured to the lens, lamp mounted on said frame and means to`lasten said legs and lensv Within said light emitting opening,substantially as described.

This speciiication signed this 20th day ol February, 1920.

on said trame, sub- SELDEN G. WARNER secured to the lensJ7

